“Absolutely not. Humans aren’t allowed on the fae plane. Getting one into the Claustrum?” Mortalis snorted. “That’s never happened and never will.”

“I’m not asking you to get permission.”

He leaned forward. “I don’t think you understand. Doing something like that without permission would be to forfeit my life. Or Amery’s.”

“If you get found out. So we won’t get found out.”

He shook his head. “There’s no way you won’t get found out. You kill that raptor after the years he’s been in the Claustrum feeding on all the hate and anger and rage in that place and those emotions will flood back to the rest of the inmates and turn that place into a maelstrom of destruction. It won’t go unnoticed.” He stood and walked the few paces to the back wall. “Plus, you’re talking about the fae plane. Humans don’t do well there. You’d be lucky to get out alive.”

“It’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

He turned. “You’re risking two lives. Yours and your child’s.”

Chrysabelle’s emotions betrayed her again. She blinked at the liquid welling up in her eyes. “What about Mal’s life? If not for Dominic sending him drugged blood, he’d be trying to kill me. Or he’d be killing whatever humans were unlucky enough to cross his path. If that hasn’t happened already.” She wiped at her eyes. “If I can’t save Mal, I’m going to have to…” Her throat closed. “Kill him,” she whispered.

Mortalis didn’t answer, telling her that was exactly what she’d have to do. Fi put her hand over Chrysabelle’s, but she pulled away, unable to bear the contact. She couldn’t even stand to look at Fi or Mortalis in that moment. The silence pressed so heavy she bent under it. “I need to go home.”

“Chrysabelle.” Mortalis’s voice held a note of apology, but not acquiescence.

She held up her hand. “I understand your reasons for not helping. I do. Doesn’t mean I agree with them.” She stood. “You know I would do anything for you.”

“Anything?” He raised one brow. “Then protect yourself and your child. Stay away from the raptor.”

“Anything but that.” She turned to leave, so disappointed in Mortalis that bitterness coated her tongue. “Let’s go, Fi.”

The ghost girl got up to join her, giving the fae an evil look.

“Listen…” He sighed. “Even if I could help, it puts too much at stake—”

“Message received the first time.” She moved toward the door.

“Chrysabelle, wait. What I’m trying to say is… you need someone who doesn’t care about consequences. Someone willing to break fae law. Or someone above it.”

She stopped, Fi at her elbow. “And that’s not you?”

He shook his head. “No. But—”

“Your brother. Augustine.”

He snorted. “He won’t help you. He could, but he won’t. If it means risking his hide, he’ll wish you well as he walks away. Especially if he thought I was behind your asking him.”

“Then who?”

“There is a fae who’s in your debt. Khell. The one you made Guardian. He has all the access you need.”

“And you think he’ll do it?”

“I have no idea. But it’s worth asking.”

She nodded and gave him a half smile, the bitterness in her mouth sweetening a little. “Thank you.”

He scratched one horn. “You may not thank me after you go through with this. Just… be careful, okay? The Claustrum is no place for a non-fae.” He laughed sadly. “It’s no place for those who are.”

Chapter Fourteen

Tatiana gazed across the office at Daciana. They sat looking at one another, neither of them saying anything since Lilith and the Castus had vanished. The smell of brimstone still lingered, clouding her mind as much as what she’d seen. Her child. But not. Somehow she had to make the best of this.

“Unbelievable,” Daci finally mumbled.

Tatiana nodded, staring blankly into the room but still seeing the vision of Lilith in her head. “They’ve given her the power that should have been mine. Turned her into…”

“A monster,” Daci finished.

Tatiana’s gaze snapped onto Daciana. “Not a monster.” No matter what her child had become, she was not a monster. “A new kind of vampire. A race above the nobility. I always said she was a vampire princess. Now she’s become the vampire queen.”

Daci recoiled. “Aren’t you afraid of her?”

Yes. But so were the Castus, and unlike them, she wasn’t about to show her fear. “She’s still the child I held in my arms, isn’t she? The baby I rocked to sleep? I’m the only mother that child has known. Why should I fear her?” Tatiana stood and walked to the helioglazed windows. The sun would be up in less than an hour.

“I don’t know. She seemed very different. Even the ancient one seemed afraid of her.” Daci shuddered.

Tatiana wrapped her hand in the raw silk drapes and leaned against the window frame. “He did, didn’t he?” There was little point in denying what Daci had seen for herself. Then a thought occurred to her. “Do you know why that is? Because the ancients know Lilith’s loyalties lie elsewhere. She called me mother. Recognized me instantly even though they tried to take her away from me.”